Holsters

ABSTRACT

A holster for securing an accessory device to a user includes a receiving body defining an interior space adapted to receive the device, and having two opposing open ends along an axis thereof, each allowing insertion and withdrawal of the device. Retaining means disposed in the body retain the device within the interior space, permitting withdrawal only upon application of an external force of a predetermined magnitude and in a direction along the axis of the receiving body. Attachment means on the body may detachably secure the receiving body to a user. In one embodiment, an elongate, flexible panel includes ends configured to releasably mate to form the body, and an attachment strap on the panel also includes mating ends, which, when mated, prevent the mated ends of the panel from disengaging. A magnet mounted on the panel magnetically engages and thereby retains the device held in the body.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/559,019, filed on Nov. 11, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to carriers for various accessory devices, and in particular to holsters for securing an accessory device to a user.

BACKGROUND

Holsters for securing accessory devices to a user, or to another object, such as a backpack or other item carried or worn by a user, vary substantially in design, usually depending on the accessory device, and/or the activity or context in which the holster and accessory device are used. For example, accessory devices can include electronic devices, firearms, tools, sporting goods, and so forth, that a user may wish to carry on his or her person and have within easy grasp during a particular activity or application. Such activities can include construction, maintenance, sporting or hunting, surveillance, and so forth, in which a user may be standing, sitting, lying down, in motion, etc.

In general terms, a holster will usually include a body designed to receive the accessory device (by forming a pocket, for example), and some means of securing the body to a user's person (a strap arrangement, for example). Some holsters, by nature of their design, may prevent or deter inadvertent dislodging of the accessory device from the receiving body (such as a pocket), and others may include additional features to secure the object within the receiving body (such as a closeable flap, or retaining strap).

One challenge In designing a holster is thus to provide handy access to the held device, for example to allow quick, and/or one-handed removal thereof by the user, in some cases without looking, while at the same time securing the device from accidentally falling out of the holster, such as due to jostling or an unexpected impact. One approach is to design the receiving body to snugly conform to the shape of a particular accessory device, but this approach limits the range of possible uses for such a holster.

A related challenge, such as in applications in which quiet or silent activity is appropriate, for example surveillance, military and/or law enforcement operations, hunting, and so forth, is to provide a holster that produces minimal noise during use, such as when the object is inserted into or withdrawn from the holster, and/or when a retaining means is engaged or disengaged. Many holsters employ that mechanical retaining means, such as hook-and-loop closures, snaps, or other components, can produce what may be an unacceptable amount of noise for the task at hand.

A need therefore exists for holsters that may accommodate a number of differently sized or shaped accessory devices while protecting the object against accidental dislodgment, and allow the possibility of quiet or silent operation.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides holsters that address the aforementioned need and provide additional benefits. For clarity, the embodiments presented herein are illustrated and described in the specific application of use with an accessory device in the form of a rangefinder, a piece of hunting or sporting equipment. However, this is for illustrative purposes only, as the functional and design principles may be adapted for a variety of uses, in a variety of settings, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, a holster for securing an accessory device to a user includes a receiving body defining an interior space and being adapted to receive the device substantially within the interior space, the body having a longitidunal axis and including two opposing open ends disposed therealong, with each open end configured to allow insertion and withdrawal of the device. Such embodiments further include retaining means disposed in the body adapted to retain the device substantially within the interior space when inserted therein, permitting withdrawal of the retained device only upon the application of an external force greater than or equal to a predetermined magnitude and in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the receiving body, and attachment means disposed on the body adapted to detachably secure the receiving body to a user.

In some of such embodiments, the interior space may be conformable to the size and/or shape of the device, such as by the receiving body being at least partially formed of an elastic material or being of adjustable size.

Further, the retaining means in some of such embodiments may include magnetic means, such as a magnet mounted on a portion of the body defining the interior space and positioned to magnetically engage and thereby retain the device (or a magnetic component mounted or adhered thereto) when received within the interior space. In such embodiments, the magnetic means may be configured to magnetically engage and disengage the device substantially soundlessly.

In some of such embodiments, the attachment means may include a strap assembly, such as two straps each connected at a first end to the receiving body, with the second ends thereof configured to releasably mate with each other.

In some embodiments, the holster may take the form of an elongate and at least partially flexible panel configured to substantially encompass the device, and having first and second ends configured to releasably mate in first range of mating positions, with an attachment strap disposed on the panel, the attachment strap also having first and second ends configured to encircle the object and releasably mate in a second range of mating positions. In such embodiments, the attachment strap may be oriented transverse to the elongate panel, and disposed relative to the first range of mating positions such that when the ends of the elongate panel and the ends of the attachment strap, respectively, are mated, the attachment strap prevent the mated ends of the elongate panel from disengaging. In some embodiments, this is achieved with a configuration in which the second range of relative positions substantially overlaps the first range of relative positions, such that the mated ends of the attachment strap prevent the mated ends of the elongate panel from disengaging.

In some of such embodiments, the ends of the elongate panel are configured to mate by means of a press fit engagement. In some of such embodiments, attachment strap is disposed such that when it encircles an object with the ends of the attachment strap mated, the object is held against the mated ends of the elongate panel. Optionally, some of such embodiments include retaining means (such as magnetic means) mounted on the elongate panel and configured to engage and retain the device encompassed thereby.

The concepts, features, methods, and component configurations briefly described above are clarified with reference to the accompanying drawings and detailed description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first, “interior” side of a holster constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, shown in an unfolded or open configuration, and including an elongate, flexible panel from which extends an adjustment strap at the proximal end thereof.

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the second, “exterior” side of the holster of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is three-dimensional view of the holster of FIG. 1, showing the first side thereof, with the distal end of the elongate panel shown being moved to encircle an accessory device in the form of a rangefinder.

FIG. 4 is another three-dimensional view of the holster of FIG. 1, with the distal end of the elongate panel shown in a position substantially encircling the rangefinder.

FIG. 5 is a further three-dimensional view of the holster of FIG. 1, with the distal end of the elongate panel mated with the proximal end thereof, encircling the rangefinder.

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of the holster of FIG. 1, showing the second side thereof with the elongate panel encircling the rangefinder, and showing the ends of the attachment strap being moved to mate with each other, as if to encircle a belt or other object (not shown).

FIG. 7 is another three-dimensional view of the holster of FIG. 1, showing the ends of the attachment strap mated with each other and overlapping the mated ends of the elongate panel.

FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional view of a magnetic component with an adhesive rear surface, suitable for use in combination with the holster of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view showing a section of a second, “exterior” side of a modified embodiment of the holster of FIG. 1, with a metal ring secured to a short strap extending from a portion of the elongate panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-7 show an illustrative embodiment of a holster 10 for securing an accessory device D (shown in dashed lines), to a user or an object (not shown). A user, as the term is used herein, generally refers to the person of a user of the holster—that is, the user's body, clothing, and any items carried thereon (such as a backpack, etc.).

Specifically, FIGS. 1-7 show a commercial embodiment of holster 10 dimensioned to be suitable for use with a portable rangefinder—as such, device D is shown to assume the general outline of such a device. However, a holster constructed in accordance with the principles disclosed herein may suitable for use with a wide range of accessory devices and items.

The illustrative embodiment of holster 10 is shown to be formed of an elongate and at least partially flexible panel 12 joined at a proximal end thereof with an attachment strap 14. The panel 12 and strap 14 of a commercial embodiment of the holster are formed of woven nylon straps that are stitched together to define the “T”-shape depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, but any suitable flexible material or materials may be used.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, holster 10 is shown in an unfolded or open configuration, as compared with FIGS. 5-7, which show the holster encompassing device D in a closed configuration. However, the ability to be moved between open and closed configurations is not required to all embodiments; as explained below, some holster embodiments assume only a closed configuration.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the distal and proximal ends 16, 18 of elongate panel 12 are configured to releasably mate with each other, by means of fastening regions 20, 22 disposed at either end of the panel. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, which shows a first or “interior” side 24 of the holster, the distal end 16 features a fastening region 20 in the form of a patch of hook-and-loop material, whereas the proximal end 18 features a fastening region 22 in the form of a complementary patch of hook-and-loop material on the second or “exterior” side 26 of the holster, as shown in FIG. 2. With additional reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the distal and proximal ends 16, 18 are configured to releasably mate when fastening region 22 at least partially overlaps fastening region 20. In this manner, the ends of panel 12 are configured to mate in a range of mating positions, defined by the relative sizes and positions of the fastening regions.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the two ends 30, 32 of attachment strap 14 are also configured to releasably mate, by means of fastening regions 34, 36 disposed at either end, in a similar manner to the fastening regions of the panel 12: with one fastening region 34 in the form of a patch of hook-and-loop material on the first side of the attachment strap, and a second fastening region 36 in the form of a complementary patch of hook-and-loop material on the second side. With additional reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, ends 30, 32, via fastening regions 34, 36, may releasably mate in a second range of mating positions also defined by the relative sizes and positions of the fastening regions.

In use, the elongate panel may encircle or otherwise substantially encompass an accessory device, such as a device D, as shown in FIGS. 3-5. In a somewhat similar manner, the ends of the attachment strap may in turn encircle a belt loop, or a belt, or some other item of apparel on a user's person, thereby securing the holster, and thus the device held therein, to the user.

In the illustrative embodiment, fastening regions in the form of hook-and-loop patches allow the panel and strap ends to mate by means of press fit engagements. Other manners of a press fit engagement, such as mechanical means (including a standard snap fastener, etc.), adhesive means, and so forth, may optionally be used in variants, but a press fit engagement is not required to all embodiments.

In embodiments in which a press fit engagement is used, such as the hook-and-loop patches of the illustrative embodiment of holster 10, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the ends of the elongate panel and the ends of the attachment strap, respectively, are mated, the attachment strap may effectively prevent the mated ends of the elongate panel from disengaging, by virtue of the relative positions of the various fastening regions. Specifically, the second range of mating positions (of the ends of the attachment strap 14) substantially overlaps the first range of mating positions (of the distal and proximal ends of the elongate panel 12). Moreover, when the attachment strap encircles an object, such as a belt, or belt loop, or other item (not shown) with the ends of the attachment strap mated, the encircled item is held against the mated ends of the elongate panel, which may maintain pressure on the press fit engagement, providing a secure attachment of the holster to the user or item.

As shown, the illustrative embodiment of holster 10 is of adjustable size, due to the range of mating positions of the ends of the elongate strap. The length and/or other dimension of either the elongate panel, or the attachment strap, or both, may be modified as desired to accommodate a specific type of accessory device or to secure the holster to a specific type of apparel. Moreover, the attachment strap may be configured to secure the holster to any object, such as a backpack, a piece of equipment, or even an item that may not be carried on a user's person. Such variations are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure.

As mentioned above, a press fit engagement is not required to all embodiments. For example, the ends of the attachment strap, and/or those of the elongate panel, may be configured to mate by means of a buckle or similar device, or any suitable means of mating.

Thus described, FIGS. 3-7 depict a sequence of steps by which the illustrative holster 10 encircles and thereby receives accessory device D, with the various directional arrows illustrating the movement of components of the holster relative to the device. As shown, the illustrative holster 10 may be used with a variety of shapes and sizes of accessory devices D, due to the adjustability of the fastening regions, in other words, the range of mating positions of the ends of the elongate panel allow the holster to encompass and receive a device larger or smaller that device D.

In the “closed” configuration of the illustrative embodiment of holster 10 shown in FIGS. 5-7, the holster forms a receiving body that defines an interior space and that is adapted to receive an accessory device substantially within the interior space. As can be seen in the illustrative embodiment, the receiving body is formed from elongate panel 12 and a portion of the attachment strap 14. Thought of in this way, the receiving body, indicated generally at 60, can be seen to have a longitudinal axis, shown in FIG. 7 as A, and forming two opposing open ends disposed along the axis, each open end being configured to allow withdrawal (and re-insertion) of the device, as indicated by bi-directional arrow B. In the illustrative embodiment, the open ends, indicated at 62, are substantially defined by the side edges of the elongate panel 12, and the folded edges of the attachment strap 14.

As such, even though the receiving body of the illustrative embodiment of holster 10 is formed of the elongate panel 12 and attachment strap 14, this is not required to all embodiments, as mentioned above. Rather, any suitable holster formation that defines such a receiving body is considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. For example, an alternate embodiment may include a panel with joined ends to form a receiving body that may accommodate an accessory device of a specific size and shape.

Another alternate embodiment may accommodate variety of sizes and shapes of accessory devices by being formed at least in part from an elastic material, so that the receiving body may stretch or otherwise deform to encompass the outer shape of a device as it is inserted into the holster via one of the open ends. Such alternate embodiments may include attachment means disposed on die receiving body, such as a strap assembly in the form of attachment strap 14 or similar thereto, to detachably secure the receiving body to a user.

In some embodiments, the attachment strap or other attachment means may be specifically dimensioned and/or otherwise configured to hold the receiving body against a particular piece of apparel or equipment, such as a user's belt, backpack, or otherwise. In the illustrative embodiment, the attachment strap is dimensioned to accommodate a belt or backpack strap. Due to the arrangement of the attachment strap 14 relative to the elongate panel 12, the long axis A of the receiving body 60 will be substantially perpendicular to the belt or backpack strap to which the holster is secured.

Thus, in embodiments that may be specifically configured for use with other items of apparel or objects, the components of the holster may be configured as desired to orient the held device in a particular orientation with respect to the item or object. Optionally, some embodiments may be provided with a pivot mechanism, for example to allow such an orientation to be adjusted, and so forth.

Referring to FIG. 1, and as can also be seen in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, the illustrative embodiment of holster 10 is shown to include retaining means 40, mounted on the elongate panel 12 intermediate the distal and proximal ends thereof. Retaining means 40 is configured to engage and thereby retain the device encompassed by the holster. In the illustrative embodiment, retaining means 40 is shown to include magnetic means 42, in the form of a single magnet 44 mounted on the interior side 24 of the panel. More particularly, in the illustrative embodiment, magnet 44 is mounted to panel 12 by means of a reinforcement piece 46 secured to the panel and having a window 48 formed therein to expose at least a part of the surface or housing of the magnet 44.

In the aforementioned commercial embodiment, the reinforcement piece is a short strap of woven nylon that encircles, and is stitched to, the panel 12, but any suitable manner of mounting the retaining means 40 to the panel may be used, such as may be appropriate to the form of retaining means employed. In the commercial embodiment, the magnet 44 is held by the reinforcement piece, which provides a comparably rigid region along the length of flexible elongate panel 12, which may in turn provide mechanical stability to the magnetic engagement of the magnet with the device D, help conform the strap better to the external contour of the device D (such as by forming a flat, rigid region to interface with the flat side of the device), help the holster generally retain its form when the device D is removed (such as for ease of re-insertion), and so forth.

In other embodiments, a magnet or other retaining means may be mounted to the holster without, or apart from, such a reinforcement piece. Optionally, the retaining means may be movably mounted on the panel, such as in an embodiment in which a magnet 44 may be incorporated in a short strap of nylon that encircles, but is not secured in place to, the panel, but may be moved along the panel to a desired position. Such variations are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

The retaining means 40 of holster is positioned to engage an accessory device, such as device D, that is encompassed by or otherwise received in the holster. In the illustrative embodiment, it can be seen that magnet 44 is positioned to magnetically engage the side of device D that is further from the attachment strap 14, or at least a magnetic component or area thereof. Of course, in some applications, such as in use with an accessory device that is not magnetic, or weakly magnetic, or simply if a stronger magnetic bond is desired, some embodiments may include a separate magnetic component that may be configured to be mounted to the portion of the device that the retaining means is positioned to magnetically engage. An example of such a magnetic component is shown in FIG. 8 as 50. Magnetic component 50 may include an adhesive surface 52, and may thus be adapted to be adhered to a device D for use with holster 10. In a commercial embodiment, holster 10 is provided along with a magnetic component 50 as a kit.

Optionally, magnetic component 50 may be mounted in a desired position on an accessory device to provide a means to orient and/or align the device within the receiving body formed by the holster, by magnetically aligning the mounted magnetic component with the magnet 44 of the retaining means of the holster. In such a manner, a user may ensure that the device is centered within the holster, or held in a desired orientation, such as for greater ease of removal, greater resistance against accidental dislodgment, comfort when wearing the holster, and so forth. Thus, alternate embodiments may include retaining means having multiple magnets, for magnetic engagement with different parts of the device, and/or one or more magnetic components mounted on the device, and so forth.

Although retaining means other than magnetic means may be incorporated in some embodiments, a magnetic retaining means may offer the benefit of substantially soundless engagement and disengagement of the accessory device in the holster. For example, in a hunting context, a user will typically require use of a rangefinder when a target is in sight, to gauge distance in order to prepare to take an accurate shot, to determine whether to change positions before preparing for a shot, and so forth. However, in such a context, making even a slight sound may frighten the target.

The illustrative holster 10, or more particularly the retaining means 40, in the form of magnet 44, is configured to allow substantially soundless disengagement of the rangefinder device D held thereby: when urged by the user in the direction of one of open ends 62, the device will slide in the direction urged, silently disengaging the magnetic bond between the magnet 44 and the device (or a magnetic component mounted thereon), allowing the user to remove the device from the holster for use. Similarly, when the user needs to replace the device in the holster, it may be slid into the receiving body via one of the open ends 62 and into a position in which the magnet 44 engages the device (or a magnetic component mounted thereon) substantially silently. Optionally, some embodiments may further be provided with a thin layer of fabric covering the magnet 44, such as to mute any audible noise (such as a “click”) as the magnet engages the device or magnetic component, when the device is inserted into the holster.

Of course, a magnetic retaining means is not required to all embodiments. Other embodiments may include alternate or additional retaining means, which may consist of mechanical and/or adhesive linkages, or otherwise, which, individually or collectively, are adapted to retain an accessory device in the interior space defined by the receiving body of the holster, permitting withdrawal thereof only upon the application of an external force greater than or equal to a predetermined magnitude and in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the receiving body. In the illustrative embodiment of holster 10, this force is along the axis A, and of a magnitude sufficient to overcome the magnetic bond between magnet 44 and the device D (and/or a magnetic component mounted thereon) and any mechanical force from friction exerted on the exterior of the device by the receiving body. Of course, retaining means may be configured not only to prevent withdrawal of the device except upon application of a properly oriented external force, but also to prevent any movement of the held device, such as in a lateral direction (e.g., toward either open end).

Some embodiments of the holster 10 may include additional features, for example to establish multiple linkages between an accessory device D and the holster 10 and/or the user, such as to provide an additional measure of security, or a backup linkage, in the event that the device is inadvertently dislodged from the holster, or dropped by the user during withdrawal or insertion. One manner of providing such an additional linkage may be through use of a tether of any appropriate form, such as a flexible cord connecting the device to the holster. FIG. 9 shows a section of an alternate configuration of the exterior side 26 of elongate panel 12 of a holster 10, which features a short loop of material 70 fastened to and extending from reinforcement piece 46, with the loop capturing a ring 72, which may provide a suitable tie point for a tether cord, the other end of which may be secured to the accessory device D, to the user to which the holster is mounted, or otherwise.

Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing operational principles and illustrated examples and embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A holster for securing an accessory device to a user, comprising: a receiving body defining an interior space and being adapted to receive the device substantially within the interior space, the body having a longitudinal axis and including two opposing open ends disposed therealong, each open end configured to allow insertion and withdrawal of the device; retaining means disposed in the body and adapted to retain the device substantially within the interior space when inserted therein, permitting withdrawal of the retained device only upon the application of an external force greater than or equal to a predetermined magnitude and in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the receiving body; and attachment means disposed on the body and adapted to detachably secure the receiving body to a user.
 2. The holster of claim 1, wherein the receiving body is configured to conform the interior space to the size and/or shape of the device.
 3. The holster of claim 2, wherein the receiving body is at least partially formed of an elastic material.
 4. The holster of claim 2, wherein the receiving body is of adjustable size.
 5. The holster of claim 4, wherein the receiving body comprises an elongate and at least partially flexible panel having first and second ends configured to releasably mate at any of a range of relative positions, to thereby define the interior space.
 6. The holster of claim 1, wherein the retaining means includes magnetic means.
 7. The holster of claim 6, wherein the retaining means comprises a magnet mounted on a portion of the body defining the interior space, such that the magnet is disposed to magnetically engage and thereby retain the device when received substantially within the interior space.
 8. The holster of claim 7, wherein the magnet is mounted on a portion of the body substantially opposing the portion of the body upon which the attachment means is disposed.
 9. A holster kit for securing an accessory device to a user, comprising: the holster of claim 6; and a magnetic component adapted to be magnetically attracted to the magnetic means of the holster, and configured to be mounted to the device.
 10. The holster of claim 6, wherein the magnetic means is configured to magnetically engage and disengage the device substantially soundlessly.
 11. The holster of claim 1, wherein the attachment means includes a strap assembly that includes at least one strap connected at one end to the receiving body.
 12. The holster of claim 11, wherein the strap assembly comprises two straps each connected at a first end to the receiving body, and wherein the second ends of the straps are configured to releasably mate with each other.
 13. The holster of claim 11, wherein the attachment means is dimensioned to securely hold the receiving body against a user's belt.
 14. The holster of claim 13, wherein the attachment means is oriented relative to the receiving body so that the longitudinal axis of the receiving body is substantially perpendicular to the user's belt when the receiving body is secured thereto by the attachment means.
 15. A holster for securing a device to an object, comprising: an elongate and at least partially flexible panel configured to substantially encompass the device, and having first and second ends configured to releasably mate in first range of mating positions; an attachment strap disposed on the panel, the attachment strap also having first and second ends configured to encircle the object and releasably mate in a second range of mating positions; wherein the attachment strap is oriented in a direction transverse to the elongate panel; and wherein the attachment strap is disposed relative to the first range of mating positions such that when the ends of the elongate panel and the ends of the attachment strap, respectively, are mated, the attachment strap prevent the mated ends of the elongate panel from disengaging.
 16. The holster of claim 15, wherein the second range of relative positions substantially overlaps the first range of relative positions, such that the mated ends of the attachment strap prevent the mated ends of the elongate panel from disengaging.
 17. The holster of claim 15, wherein the ends of the elongate panel are configured to releasably mate by means of a press fit engagement.
 18. The holster of claim 15, wherein the attachment strap is configured such that when it encircles an object with the ends of the attachment strap mated, the object is held against the mated ends of the elongate panel.
 19. The holster of claim 15, further including retaining means mounted on the elongate panel and configured to engage and retain the device encompassed thereby.
 20. A holster for securing a device to a user, comprising: an elongate and at least partially flexible panel configured to substantially encircle the device, the panel including: first and second ends configured to releasably mate in a first range of mating positions, and retaining means mounted intermediate the first and second ends and configured to engage the device when encircled, to thereby restrict lateral movement thereof except upon application of an external force greater than or equal to a predetermined magnitude in a lateral direction; an attachment strap assembly mounted to the elongate panel and configured to detachably secure the holster to a user, the strap assembly including two straps each projecting to either side of the elongate panel from the first end thereof, each strap including a distal end configured to releasably mate with the other in a second range of mating positions; wherein the second range of positions at least partially overlaps the first range of positions, such that the distal ends of the straps, when mated, prevent disengagement of the mated first and second ends of the elongate panel. 